Reel for embossed carrier tape

ABSTRACT

A pair of flanges ( 12, 12 ) which have through-holes ( 17 ) for a rotating shaft, and a shaft part which connects the central parts of these flanges ( 12, 12 ) at a specified spacing, are formed from cardboard plates; furthermore, the above-mentioned shaft part is formed so that this shaft part is foldable. For example, flaps ( 13 ) which extend in the radial direction, and which have base ends ( 13   a ) on the side of the central part of the corresponding flange ( 12 ) are formed by stamping in each of the pair of flanges ( 12, 12 ) and slits ( 14 ) which extend in the circumferential direction of each flange ( 12 ) are formed on a circle that is concentric with the flange ( 12 ), and which includes the base ends ( 13   a ) of the flaps ( 13 ). The flaps ( 13 ) of the respective flanges ( 12 ) are pulled into upright positions, and the projecting parts ( 13   b ) of the flaps ( 13 ) of one of the flanges ( 12 ) are inserted into the slits ( 14 ) of the other flange ( 12 ), thus fastening the flanges ( 12 ) to each other, so that a reel ( 11 ) is formed. A reel formed as described is not bulky during shipping, and requires no separation of parts when the reel is discarded.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a reel which is used to storeand transport electronic parts which are provided on an embossed carriertape or the like. The reel is further used to supply the parts to anautomated assembly machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embossed carrier tapes are carrier tapes in which recesses areformed at a specified spacing along the direction of length of asynthetic resin tape. Electronic parts such as connectors, etc., areinserted into these recesses and the upper surface of the carrier tapeis then covered with a covering tape and heat-sealed so that theelectronic parts are sealed inside the recesses. An embossed carriertape reel is used to take up the embossed carrier tape with theelectronic parts sealed inside such that the parts are supplied to anautomatic assembly machine or other similar device.

[0003] As is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the embossed carrier tape reel270 is installed at the end of a sealing device 200. In this sealingdevice 200, electronic parts, etc., are inserted into the recesses ofthe resin tape in a product insertion stage 210. The tape is coveredwith a covering tape 30 by a tape supplying means 230. The covering tape30 is pulled out and supplied from a reel 231 and the covering tape 30and resin tape are clamped and bonded by a heater 251 and a receivingpad 252 which are disposed above and below the conveying path, such thatthe covering tape 30 is bonded to the resin tape by a tape bonding means250, so that an embossed carrier tape 40 with electronic parts sealedinside is manufactured. The embossed carrier tape 40 manufactured istaken up by the embossed carrier tape reel 270, and is thus arranged ina configuration that is suitable for storage or conveying.

[0004] Traditionally, the reel is of the type shown in FIG. 20. Thisreel 91 consists of a pair of flanges 93 made of cardboard plates, whichare connected by a shaft part 92 made of foam styrol. As a result, thisreel 91 can be manufactured at low cost. Accordingly, reels that haveonce been used in an automated assembly machine may be discarded, sothat the trouble of recovery is eliminated. This type of reel 91 isordinarily manufactured at a place other than the plant where theelectronic parts are sealed.

[0005] However, since the reel 91 is bulky, the cost of shipping suchreels 91 from the place where the reels 91 are manufactured to the placewhere they are used is high. Furthermore, since the shaft part 92 madeof foam styrol cannot be incinerated, time must be taken to separate theshaft part 92 from the flanges 93 when the reels 91 are discarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide areel for an embossed carrier tape which is not bulky during shipping,and which does not require any separation of the components whendiscarded.

[0007] The present invention provides a reel for an embossed carriertape which has a pair of flanges that have through-holes forco-operating with a rotating shaft. A shaft part is also provided on thereel and connects the central portions of the flanges at a specifiedspacing. The flanges and shaft part are made of cardboard plates withthe shaft part having a foldable structure.

[0008] The space formed between the flanges can be eliminated by foldingthe shaft part, so that the reels can be stacked and shipped in largequantities, thus reducing the cost of shipping. Furthermore, since boththe shaft part and flanges consist of cardboard plates, there is no needfor separation of the components when the reels are discarded.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shaft partconsists of a plurality of flaps which are formed in at least one of thepair of flanges. The shaft part is formed by pulling the flaps into anupright position and inserting the tip end portions of these flaps intoslits formed in the other flange.

[0010] In this configuration, the shaft part is formed by pulling flapsformed in at least one flange into upright positions and inserting thetip ends of these flaps into slits formed in the other flange.Accordingly, there is no need to install a shaft part that is separatefrom the flanges, and the number of parts required can therefore bereduced. Additionally, a bonding agent, etc., is not required, the flapscan merely be fastened to each other merely by inserting the tip endportions of the flaps formed in at least one flange.

[0011] In another embodiment, the shaft part has joining parts that arebonded to the central portions of each of the pair of flanges, and aplurality of plate-form members that connect these joining parts to eachother. The plate-form members are formed parallel to each other and arearranged so that they can be pulled into an upright position withrespect to the aforementioned joining parts.

[0012] In this configuration, the shaft part can be folded, and theflanges can be stacked together in a state in which the shaft part isjoined to the flanges beforehand. Accordingly, the reels can be shippedin a compact configuration and the shaft parts can be raised andassembled in a one-touch operation at the time of use. Furthermore,reels with different. The flanges in each of these reels is uniform,thereby requiring the manufacture of a single flange configuration.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the shaft part has a band-form memberthat can be connected into a tubular shape. A plurality of projectingparts which can be inserted into slits formed in the pair of flanges aredisposed on both sides of the band-form member with respect to thedirection of width of the band-form member.

[0014] In this configuration, reels with different flange spacings canbe formed merely by changing the shaft part to a shaft part in which thewidth of the band-form member is different. Furthermore, if a bondingagent, etc., is not used, the flanges and shaft part can be fastened andsecured together merely by inserting the projecting parts into the slitsformed in the flanges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates oneworking configuration of the embossed carrier tape reel of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same reel.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the flanges of the same reelillustrating that the flaps are folded flat.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the flanges of the samereel illustrating that the flaps are folded flat.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the flanges of the samereel illustrating that the flaps are raised into an upright position.

[0020]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates a secondworking configuration of the embossed carrier tape reel of the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reel shown in FIG. 6.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a plan view of one of the flanges of the reel shown inFIG. 6.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the reel shown in FIG. 6 illustrating theshaft part in a folded flat configuration.

[0024]FIG. 10 is an operating diagram of the shaft part in the reel ofFIG. 6.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the shaft part fastened to theflanges.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a modified shaft part in a foldedflat configuration.

[0027]FIG. 13 is an operating diagram of the shaft part shown in FIG.12.

[0028]FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates a thirdembodiment of the embossed carrier tape reel of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the reel shown in FIG. 14.

[0030]FIG. 16 is a plan view of one of the flanges of the reel shown inFIG. 14.

[0031]FIG. 17 is a plan view of the reel of FIG. 14 in which the shaftpart of the reel is in a planar state.

[0032]FIG. 18 is a front view which shows an embossed carrier tape reelinstalled as the after-stage of a sealing apparatus.

[0033]FIG. 19 is a perspective view which shows an embossed carrier tapereel installed as the after-stage of a sealing apparatus.

[0034]FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates aconventional embossed carrier tape reel known in the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS SHOWN

[0035] A first embodiment of the embossed carrier tape reel of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. FIG. 1 is an explodedperspective view of this reel, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the samereel, FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the flanges of the reel in whichthe flaps are folded flat, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of theflanges in which the flaps are folded flat, and FIG. 5 is a perspectiveview of one of the flanges in which the flaps are raised into an uprightposition.

[0036] Reel 11 consists of a pair of flanges 12, 12, each of whichconsists of a disk made of cardboard. In each flange 12, three flaps 13are formed by stamping at equal intervals in the circumferentialdirection of the flange 12. The flaps extend in the radial direction ofthe flange 12 and have base ends 13 a on the side of the central part ofthe flange 12. Furthermore, projecting parts 13 b are formed on the tipends of these flaps 13.

[0037] Near the central part of each flange 12, three slits 14, whichextend in the circumferential direction of the flange 12, are formed atequal intervals on a circle which is concentric with the flange 12 andwhich includes the base ends 13 a of the flaps 13. On the sides of theslits 14 that face the center of each flange 12, three anchoring flaps15 are formed by stamping at equal intervals in the circumferentialdirection of the flange 12, so that the base ends of these flaps includethe slits 14. Holes 16 for the insertion of the fingers are formed onthe sides of the tip ends of these anchoring flaps 15. A through-hole 17for a rotating shaft is formed in the center of each flange 12, so thatthe assembled reel 11 can be attached in a specified position in such amanner that rotation is possible.

[0038] In order to assemble the reel 11, the flaps 13 of the respectiveflanges 12 are first pulled into an upright position (see FIG. 5), andthe two flanges 12 are positioned facing each other with the flaps 13 inbetween (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the tip ends of the flaps 13of one flange 12 are positioned so that they face the slits 14 of theother flange 12. Then, while both flanges 12 are held with the fingersinserted into the finger insertion holes 16 of the flanges 12, theprojecting parts 13 b of the flaps 13 of one flange 12 are inserted intothe slits 14 of the other flange 12, so that the flanges 12 are fastenedtogether, thus making it possible to form a reel 11. The engaging forcebetween the projecting parts 13 b and the slits 14 can be increased byfolding the anchoring flaps 15 in the direction in which the flaps 13have been pulled into an upright position, after the projecting parts 13b of the flaps 13 have been inserted into the slits 14.

[0039] In the case of reels 11 consisting of the above-mentionedstructure, if the flaps 13 are caused to lie flat (see FIGS. 3 and 4),the reels 11 can be shipped without the flanges 12 becoming excessivelybulky. Furthermore, since the flaps 13 that form the shaft part areintegral parts of the flanges 12, there is no need for a separate shaftpart, and the number of parts required can therefore be reduced. Inaddition, there is no need for any separation of parts at the time thatthe reels are discarded. As long as the strength of the flanges 12 canbe maintained, there are no restrictions on the number of flaps 13; thisnumber may be varied as appropriate.

[0040] A second embodiment of the embossed carrier tape reel of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 10. FIG. 6 is an explodedperspective view of this reel, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the samereel, FIG. 8 is a plan view of one of the flanges of this reel, FIG. 9is a plan view of this reel which the shaft part is folded flat, FIG. 10is a operating diagram of the shaft part, and FIG. 11 is a plan viewshowing the shaft part fastened to the flanges is folded flat.

[0041] Reel 21 consists of a pair of flanges 22, 22 that have a diskshape, and a shaft part 23. All of these parts are made of cardboard. Ineach flange 22, holes 24 for the insertion of the fingers are formed atequal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange 22. Athrough-hole 25 for a rotating shaft is formed in the center of eachflange 22, so that the assembled reel 21 can be attached in a specifiedposition in such a manner that rotation is possible.

[0042] As is shown in FIG. 9, the shaft part 23 has a first joining part23 a which has the form of a disk. A plurality of plate-form members 23b extend parallel to each other from opposite side parts of the joiningpart 23 a. The other ends of these plate-form members 23 b are connectedto the inside circumferences of second joining parts 23 c which areformed by splitting a disk into parts that have a circular arc shape. Athrough-hole 23 d which corresponds to the through-holes 25 in theflanges 22 is formed in the center of the first joining part 23 a.

[0043] In order to assemble a reel 21, the second joining parts 23 c arefirst arranged in an annular configuration and placed in athree-dimensional state (see FIG. 10 (b)). Then, the reel 21 can beformed by fastening the first joining part 23 a and second joining parts23 c to the respective centers of the pair of flanges 22.

[0044] In the case of reels 21 consisting of the above-mentionedstructure, the shaft parts 23 and flanges 22 can be stacked and shippedwithout excessive bulkiness by folding the plate-form members 23 b ofthe shaft parts 23 flat as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, at the time ofuse, the reels 21 can be assembled in a one-touch operation merely byraising the plate-form members 23 b of the shaft parts 23 into anupright state; accordingly, the working characteristics are good.Moreover, since the flanges 22 and shaft parts 23 are both made ofcardboard, there is no need for the separation of parts when the reelsare discarded. In addition, there is little danger of the shaft parts 23being lost during shipping.

[0045] Another embodiment of the shaft part shown in FIGS. 6-10 is shownin FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the reel with the shaftpart of the reel folded flat, and FIG. 13 is an operating diagram of theshaft part. Parts which are substantially the same as parts shown inFIGS. 6-10 are labeled with the same symbols, and a description of theseparts is omitted.

[0046] In this shaft part 33, the plate-form members 23 b of the shaftpart 23 in the reel 21 are changed to plate-form members 33 b that havea different length. By using the shaft part 33 instead of theabove-mentioned shaft part 23, it is possible to form a reel 21 in whichthe spacing of the flanges 22 is different.

[0047] A third embodiment of the embossed carrier tape reel of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 14 through 17. FIG. 14 is anexploded perspective view of this reel, FIG. 15 is a perspective view ofthe same reel, FIG. 16 is a plan view of one of the flanges of thisreel, and FIG. 17 is a plan view of this reel in which the shaft part ofthe reel is in a planar state.

[0048] Reel 41 consists of a pair of flanges 42, 42 that have adisk-form shape, and a shaft part 43 that has a tubular shape. All ofthese parts consist of cardboard. In each flange 42, holes 44 forinsertion of the fingers are formed at equal intervals in thecircumferential direction of the flange 42. A slit 45 which extends inthe circumferential direction of the flange 42 is formed at one end ofthe inner circumference of each finger insertion hole 44. Furthermore, athrough-hole 46 for a rotating shaft is formed in the center of eachflange 42, so that the assembled reel 41 can be attached in a specifiedposition in such a manner that rotation is possible.

[0049] As is shown in FIG. 17, the shaft part 43 has a band-form shapewhen this shaft part 43 is in a planar state. Projecting parts 43 a thatprotrude in the direction of width are formed at equal intervals alongthe direction of length on the opposite end parts in the direction ofwidth. An engaging projecting part 43 b, which protrudes in thedirection of length, is formed on one of the opposite end parts in thedirection of length. An engaging slit 43 c, in which the engagingprojecting part 43 b is inserted, is formed in the other end part.Engaging slits 43 d which engage with the slits 45 formed in the flanges42 are formed in one side of the base part of each of theabove-mentioned projecting parts 43 a.

[0050] In order to assemble the reel 41, the engaging projecting part 43b of the band-form shaft part 43 is first inserted into the engagingslit 43 c, so that the shaft part 43 is formed into a tubular shape. Areel 41 can then be formed by engaging the engaging slits 43 d of theprojecting parts 43 a with the slits 45 of the flanges 42.

[0051] In the case of reels 41 consisting of the above-mentionedstructure, the reels 41 can be shipped without excessive bulkiness in astate in which the band-form shaft parts 43 and flanges 42 arerespectively stacked in sheet form. Since the flanges 42 and shaft parts43 are both made of cardboard, there is no need for any separation ofparts when the reels are discarded. Furthermore, even if no bondingagent, etc., is used, the flanges 42 and shaft parts 43 can be fastenedtogether merely by engaging the engaging slits 43 d of the projectingparts 43 a with the slits 45 formed in the flanges 42.

[0052] In all of the embodiments, the shaft part that connects thecentral parts of a pair of flanges at a specified spacing is formed witha foldable structure, such that the reel of the present invention can bestacked and shipped in large quantities by folding the shaft part sothat the space formed between the flanges is eliminated. Accordingly,shipping costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the shaft part andflanges are both made of cardboard, there is no need for any separationof parts when the reel is discarded.

I/we claim:
 1. A reel for an embossed carrier tape, the reel comprising;a pair of flanges that have through-holes for a receiving rotatingshaft; a shaft part that connects central portions of these flanges at aspecified spacing; the shaft part has a foldable structure; and theflanges and shaft part are made of cardboard.
 2. The reel as recited inclaim 1, wherein the shaft part consists of a plurality of flaps havingtip end portions which are formed in at least one of the pair offlanges, and which can be pulled into an upright position, and the tipend portions of these flaps inserted into slits formed in the otherflange.
 3. The reel as recited in claim 1, wherein the shaft part hasjoining parts that are bonded to the central portions of the pair offlanges, and a plurality of plate-form members that connect the joiningparts to each other, the plate-form members are formed parallel to eachother, and are arranged so that they can be pulled into an uprightposition with respect to the aforementioned joining parts.
 4. The reelas recited in claim 1, wherein the shaft part is a band-form member thatcan be connected into a tubular shape, a plurality of projecting partswhich are inserted into slits formed in the pair of flanges, theprojecting parts are disposed on both sides of the above-mentionedband-form member with respect to the direction of width of the band-formmember.